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DHS Ammunition Procurements

I’ve received a lot of feedback from constituents who are concerned with news reports showing DHS holding contracts to purchase anywhere between 500 million and 1.6 billion rounds of ammunition over the next five years. While the facts of these reports vary, one thing that is certain is that DHS has done a poor job communicating with Congress, the media, and the American people on this issue. That is why I’ve asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an independent review into these ammunition purchases, and why I will continue to pressure DHS to be more transparent about this topic. Pressure from Congress and the public has finally resulted in DHS realizing that remaining silent on this topic is not a wise strategy, so DHS recently submitted the attached “white paper” in an attempt to answer some questions on this topic. While I cannot yet verify the information DHS shared in the white paper, I did want to pass their response on for your review. I remain committed to gathering all the facts on this topic, which is why it is essential that we continue asking questions, and have a thorough, independent, and fact-based review conducted on ammunition procurements.